Andre Adams, a “rap cat with the BOSS apparel,” better known as Andre Nickatina, will perform at the Catalyst at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19.

The San Francisco rapper is perhaps best known for his ability to spit a bold gangster rap with a sophisticated twist, evident in his like “Jungle” and “Conversation with the Devil.”

Nickatina has been rapping since 1992. He released two albums, “The New Jim Jones” and “I Hate You With a Passion,” as Dre Dog. After the success of these two underground rap albums, he changed his name to Andre Nickatina in 1998.

The name change “was for the better,” Nickatina said to Strivin Magazine, and explained that he raps because he feels that he is talented enough to do so, not for the fame or popularity.

Nickatina is one of the most successful rappers from the Bay Area, known not only for his clever rhymes but also for being the creator of his own record label, Fillmoe Coleman Records. All but two of Nickatina’s 16 performances at the Catalyst in the last three years have sold out.

“Tickets sell out anywhere from one day to one week in advance,” said Eddy Dees, a house manager and talent buyer at the Catalyst. “The music fans are in their teens and twenties and by far are SF Bay Area rap fans. Not a lot of their favorite artists tour through Santa Cruz, so when they have a chance to see them, they buy tickets fast.”

The Catalyst continues to book Nickatina for his ability to sell tickets and draw a crowd of all ages.

“No other act has done more business at the Catalyst during that same time period,” said Dees.

Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $26 in advance and $29 at the door.